Social Bliss

[mvangundy]

Full July spoilers!!!

http://www.bellaperfectionista.com/2014/07/14/summer-metallics-july-style-box/

 

[northwest22]

Full July spoilers!!!

http://www.bellaperfectionista.com/2014/07/14/summer-metallics-july-style-box/

Thanks for posting this. I don't like gold, so this is not a good box for me. I guess I'll be listing all the items on my swap page. Still a good value though, I'm glad they included a purse.

 

[kierstencliff]

The body chain trend is cool...not sure if it's for me though. We'll see when I get the box I suppose! 

 

[I'm so addicted]

I'm really glad there's a purse!!! That's about it.. a body chain??? Aren't they from the 1990's ewwww

at least this box is fashion only!!!

 

[LadyManah]

Aside from the purse, it still seems like cheap junk to me  :couch:

I wouldn't wear any of it 

 

[ChicagoBlonde]

Wow, a body chain??? They look bad on most models and celebs that wear them let alone normal people. I remember them being all the rage at raves in the late 90s (totally dating myself here). They do look better when worn under clothing as opposed to on top of them but better doesn't equal good.

 

[stasi7]

I just cancelled. This box just isn't worth it to me.

 

[I'm so addicted]

I so wanted to cancel I totally did not know they would rebuild me for 3 month sub that early it was literally the day after jewel box was sent out before I even received it I didn't think about it. They know how to get you... they got me.

 

[lauradiniwilk]

EEK, I just bought the June box on ebay because I thought the kimono, ring and sunglasses were cute and I went ahead and signed up for July because I don't have a gold purse and wanted one.  I should have read this thread first, there are a lot of unhappy campers in here!  This will be my first experience with Socialbliss, hopefully I didn't just waste $100.   

 

[JLPeach]

Thanks for the spoilers! I had cancelled after June but after seeing the spoilers I purchased the July box. I signed up originally because I have recently converted to carrying purses (before I always carried a wristlet or something small). I think that the purse is definitely worth the $40 I paid for the box. I am glad they went back to a high quality item from a good brand. Melie Bianco bags actually are worth more than we pay for the box. I view the other items as fun 'extras'. I have actually seen a lot of body chains around and think they are making a comeback. I am intrigued and may try to pull it out for fun on my vacation in September. I like that the ear rings are simple and classic and I would definitely get use out of them. Also could have fun playing with the eye lashes- even if I don't use them regularly. Overall I think this box is back to their original standards.

I did cancel my sub right away again though. I think I will view this box as a month by month decision. If I see a spoiler I want I'll see if they are still left in stock and purchase for that month, but I won't pre-purchase any number of months.

Also- I believe it is coming in a range of colors so if you don't like gold maybe you'll be lucky and get silver!

 

[lauradiniwilk]

The Melie Bianco Anastasia Metallic clutch appears to also come in silver and pink.  They are going for really cheap on ebay...

I took a screenshot but I still don't know how to upload images on here, so here is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xmelie+bianco+anastasia+metallic+clutch&_nkw=melie+bianco+anastasia+metallic+clutch&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Ooh and I'm seeing copper and blue on google:

https://www.google.com/search?q=melie+bianco+anastasia+metallic&safe=active&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=HuzHU86nOYuzyATlm4D4DA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1371&bih=724

 

[ChicagoBlonde]

The clutch is from at least Spring 2013, if not earlier. It's also not for sale on the MB site so perhaps this is old stock they're trying to dump? I'm so disappointed in this sub. I loved the Feb and March boxes, but the drop-off since then has been so steep in quality and in style.

https://www.meliebianco.com/2013/02/05/spring-2013-trends/

https://www.meliebianco.com/shop/anastasia

The link for it goes to a 404 Whoops page.

*How weird, the link that was dead this afternoon is now going to a page with the clutch on it. But Google Cache shows it was a dead page on 7/6/14. It's a dynamic not static page and my JS skills are not good enough to pull out the last update date for it.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Y7Hwq1s8EfYJ:https://www.meliebianco.com/shop/anastasia+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

 

[lauradiniwilk]

Yeah, I got a 404 error at the time I wrote my post, earlier today. Weird that they suddenly populated it; are you reading this thread socialbliss (or Melie Bianco?)

 

[ChicagoBlonde]

Ha! Someone else saw it too. I was wondering if I was alone in seeing that page edit. I would wager SB is reading and that's based on seeing some very enthusiastic and defensive comments loaded with marketing lingo on MSA reviews of SB in the past few months, all by Erin.

This one is from the February review:

Damn it, I loved everything in my box! I has unsubscribed because they were getting ready to charge for March and Feb hadn’t even arrived yet. But I already resubbed after getting my box, lol. I got the silver ring and it’s lovely. I’m relieved that this designer didn’t feel compelled to etch in a tacky “designed for Social Bliss” tag like the bracelet a while back designed for Popsugar. This was perfect and I know it’s unique to the subscribers, an added bonus.

February again:

That’s not quite it, but close. Ours don’t have two pockets that open and these aren’t offered in plum. But clearly by the same retailer/maker.

This one is from the March review:

It’s actually a pretty awesome lip balm. I’ve used it before and like it better than Carmex when my lips are super dry. Considering it came in a box where one item was worth double the box price, it doesn’t bother me a bit. I think of it like a Birchbox find – a little extra.

March again:

I loved everything in the box, for the third straight month! I got the blush-pink bag and it’s fabulous. Ditto the head wrap. It is like a toned down version of the FabFitFun Turbands (which I ended up buying directly since the other box spoilers didn’t excite me). Word of warning though – be aware of Social Bliss’s billing policies and cycle. They generally charge for the following month before shipping the current one. I had unsubscribed to test a different sub back in mid Feb (Feb 16) and they billed me anyway Feb 24 for the March (this) box. They did offer to accept a return in my situation (though I thought they accepted returns, period; it’s interesting to hear they changed their policy on returns in just the third month in business). Billing happens as early as the 21st, just FYI!

Erin is very familiar with the business practices and billing policies of SB and not at all upset over being charged after cancelling.

This one is from the May review:

I think people are confused about the “headband.” There wasn’t a headband. What I think folks are seeing is the long loofah, not a spa headband. So nothing was missing.

May again:

That’s because it’s a total ripoff/counterfeit/fake product! You can’t buy the real deal serum for less than $100. They are definitely not the same. It’s never a good idea to compare cosmetics and skin care prices on eBay and Amazon, where fakes and counterfeit abound. Seriously. Would I have liked to see something like the past 4 months with a fashion focus ? Sure. But am I disappointed to the point I’m going to complain about getting a product I know and love for less than half what I’ve paid in the past, um, no. Especially since it wasn’t the only thing in the box. But if you don’t like the serum, I can see being disappointed. But not enough to hunt for faux comparison products on fakebay and fauxazon.

What are the odds that Erin uses this serum and LOVES it? I must go let Amazon know that I'll be returning all the faux books they've sent me over the years...

This one is from the June review:

The kimono is very versatile and on trend for the season. In addition to wearing as a kimono (you wear it upside down), a scarf and a vest, I wore mine today backwards as an open back blouse. Just pink the bottom ends together with a lighter weight brooch or even a tiny safety pin and it’s a very chic summer blouse.

June again:

Incidentally I think Social Bliss mistakenly created an expectation of this being a purse subscription. It’s not and wasn’t intended to be. It’s supposed to be a style sub in general, introducing new brands and on trend fashion pieces. That’s why last month was a bust for most since it was beauty focused, which is not the basis for the subscription. But the contents of this month’s box are exactly that – fashion accessories. I was frankly thrilled to NOT see another bag since they had sent 3 already plus the mini pouch last month. I was happy to see the bigger ticket item be something other than a purse. Because that’s why I subbed to SB!

I'm not sure how a mere subscriber with no affiliation would know what the intentions of SocialBliss were when they started this box but apparently Erin does.

This one is also from June but from Stacey:

I love this box! The scarf/vest is so awesome. I put my head through one hole and one arm through the other and drape it over my shoulder and it’s so cool. The ring was handmade in Peru and each one is unique and just seems so special and not mass produced. The sunglasses are so big and bold. Those three are such big winners that I don’t even care about the polish and the gloss. I just have to find the wrap in the opposite color (I got taupe w a black design) and I would wear them both like crazy. Total win. Exactly what I was hoping for when I subbed this box. Yay! I love it when I get a real winner.

Back to Erin for July:

I love it, too. It’s a sub for the fashion adventurous. The body jewelry is very on trend and all over magazines this season (and can be used in other ways, though it is pretty generously sized overall), the clutch is well made (and thank God they sent a purse since it’s been nonstop complaining about not getting them since they sent the last one in April), and the perfume is a good value and not exactly drugstore cheap. Everyone seemed to hate the first month when they sent edgy accessories including a hat, everyone apparently hated the kimono blouse last month, and people complained about the large patent leather clutch and scarf, too, which were quite lovely. I think unless it’s a box of full size purses, the majority won’t enjoy this sub. It’s just that this isn’t a purse sub; they exist, this just isn’t it. There will always be items that don’t suit some people’s taste and that’s fine. No sub could ever send a box of items everyone liked at the same time. Even if they did manage that fear [sic, 'feat' is my guess], then something would be damaged in transport rendering the whole box a collection of “junk.” Or something included as a OS item won’t fit, making the box worthless. My point in all of this is to say it’s fine if something isn’t your taste. But there’s no reason to insult the item that others may really like. That’s why ladies get very defensive on these boards, because it feels like an attack on their taste/style. Constructive feedback is great, even the negatives since it all works toward improving the product. Calling it a box of crap isn’t terribly helpful to anyone. I’ve gotten lots of sub boxes over the past few years that didn’t suit my taste or lifestyle, but I didn’t feel a need to say the functional equivalent of “anyone who likes this has no taste or class.” This is one of the few subs I’ve kept and enjoy consistently. Have I loved every single thing? No. Do the hits outweigh the misses? Definitely for me. I’m still paying just under $48 so that helps too. The products here are much more my taste than what I was getting from PopSugar, so to me it’s worth it.

Short story long, I would never, ever curate a box or start my own as a business. I’m way too much of a people pleaser!

Improving the product? Do people that don't work in PR/Marketing/Brand Development phrase things this way?

But perhaps I'm just cynical and Erin is simply a huge fan of dollar store items and clearance purses.

 

[lauradiniwilk]

Haaaaa I also find it a bit odd that Erin is such a cheerleader for every. single. box.   There wasn't ONE that wasn't her style?  The billing cycle thing is juuuuuust negative enough that I'm not convinced she's an employee, but it's definitely suspect.  Although I have heard some die hard PSMH fans similarly defend every item to the death and get really (disproportionately) upset when people say they didn't like the box.  If she isn't a plant, she's either a blogger or she spends a lot of time on review sites / forums though due to all of the lingo.  Too funny. 

I am new to Socialbliss but I have spent a lot of time looking at reviews this week.  In true sub box addict form, I bought the June box on ebay, the May coin purse from amazon for $10 and the march and april bags from a lovely MUT-er.  I even went back to the SB site and overpaid for the January and February boxes because I'm impatient and didn't see the items I wanted on ebay or trade lists right away.  I really wanted the bullet necklace and the ring, and since they were just made for SB I couldn't just buy them, plus the rest of the box was nice enough that I just went for it.  So I guess it's fair to say that I DO like the boxes they put together as a whole.  For me, this seems like the one sub box that actually does a good job executing each month's theme.

That being said, I could see why people who have been a part of the sub from the beginning are getting frustrated.  If I was able to stroll in after 6 months of boxes and get 90% of it for equal to or maybe even a little less than what the rest of you paid, that's a problem.  I hope they turn it around and get some legitimate value back into the box.  Is a $110 bag really a $110 bag if you can easily get it for less than $30?

(Also - even though I like the sub I am still dying laughing over this: "But perhaps I'm just cynical and Erin is simply a huge fan of dollar store items and clearance purses.")

 

[lauradiniwilk]

It appears that there are 4 options, but I haven't seen any reviews showing the blue yet (the card doesn't show copper). 

Pink:

http://www.subscriptionboxmom.com/2014/07/social-bliss-july-2014-review-style-subscription-box-thestylebox.html

Silver: (She calls it gold but I don't think it is)

http://www.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/2014/07/social-bliss-the-style-box-review-july.html

Gold:

http://www.ramblingsofasuburbanmom.com/2014/07/july-2014-socialblis-style-box-review-thestylebox/

 

[sparklesgirlxox]

if you read there facebook they always have fake people making wondereful comments  about dollar store junk too.  I noticed that months ago.  They also don't have a real office anywhere . I did research and tried to send them a box back and there address was not existent.    The address on the package they sent me didn't exist. To sleazy for me.  Plus they paid for fake likes on there facebook page.  Look at the number they have.  You can buy likes I saw it on a show on 20/20

 

[ChicagoBlonde]

I’m leaning towards someone paid by SB to be an online cheerleader, similar to PR for celebs and talent agencies going into social media and gossip forums to post positive stories and trying to discredit the negative ones. There are numerous incidents where people have been charged for other cheaper subscription boxes they’ve cancelled and I’ve never seen anyone else be so happy about their credit card having an unauthorized charge on it. That plus the little digs at other boxes, the very soft negatives about the small items compared to the OMGWTFBBQ love of the larger items that everyone else was giving the side-eye to makes me think they were tasked with writing believable positive reviews as opposed to glowing reviews.

I hesitated on subscribing to SB until after the January box came out and then I ended up swapping for the hat, studded clutch and bullet necklace as I was in love with them. I got the February box and while I didn't love it, I only kept the ring, I was able to swap everything I didn't like for items I did like. Ditto with March (except the Avon lip balm) and April (except those tacky nail jewels and the damaged earrings I tossed after seeing all the reviews about the metal flaking and them falling apart, retail value 50$ my @ss). I returned May's box without even opening it, apparently if you'd signed up before a certain date they will accept returns. When I saw the spoiler for June I cancelled outright but they'd already charged me for it. There was some back and forth about account credit vs refund but I eventually got both May and June refunded to my credit card.

I'm completely fine with getting a box that I end up swapping or selling on eBay the majority or even all of the items, if I can get a similar value for them. I actually buy certain boxes specifically to do this, the new Net-A-Porter one from earlier this month is a perfect example. If a box is 50$ but contains items that have ~100$ in retail value and I can swap it for things worth ~100$ in retail value, great. If I can sell it and cover my cost of the box, shipping, eBay/PayPal fees and make money at the end, great. Being the nerdy person I am I have a massive spreadsheet that I use to keep track of box costs, eBay sales, GT FB sales and what I’ve swapped for. Sometimes I’ll end up swapping for items I know will sell on eBay, not because I want the item. It’s by no means a source of income but it pays for all my subscriptions and I end up making a few hundred extra a year.

If I'm stuck with a serum with a claimed retail value of 100$+ and I can't even sell it for more than 10$, a purse with a retail value of 50$ that regularly shows up on Groupon for 15$ and there’s no way to swap them due to everyone who received them also trying to swap them then there's a huge problem with the box and I start to question where they're sourcing items. I know some people mentioned the serum had a very funky odor and they weren't sure if it was expired or that's how it's supposed to be. Or how the July clutch has a claimed retail value or 70$ but that was when it first came out over a year ago, the manufacturer didn’t have it listed on their website until yesterday afternoon and it’s currently on eBay for 15$.

I think because I loved the January SB box so much and was able to do some really good trades for February, March and April (I swapped the April purse for a Clarisonic Mia!) I’m especially annoyed about the steep drop-off in quality that SB has shown. If I could get boxes similar to January through April they’d have a customer for life.

The vast majority of the time I see someone saying the only criticism that’s valid is constructive criticism (‘Erin’ in the July MSA comment) I see someone spoiling for a fight. No matter what your reason is they will let you know you’re WRONG because:

-You don’t know what’s in fashion

-You don’t know what a quality product is

-You don’t know how to use the product so that’s why it didn’t work

-The listed retail price is correct, the sites you’re looking at are full of fake products from China that will make you sprout a tail and all your hair will fall out

-You’re simply too delicate, the burning, itching and pimples mean it’s working

-Everything else in the box is amazing so it doesn’t matter that this product is damaged/misrepresented/expired/missing, you’re just whining for free items

-Their positive opinion somehow trumps your negative one, simply due to it being a positive opinion

I think it was Ipsy who sent out mascara a few months back where one specific lot smelled like gasoline. There were people actually arguing that since they used it and were OK with the smell and their eyeballs didn’t fall out, that everyone else complaining about this is being a big baby or scamming for free things. Even after the mascara’s manufacturer sent samples to an outside lab (I didn’t see what the outcome was) for testing, there were still people arguing that the only reason it smelled like gasoline is due to a masking fragrance being left out and all mascaras smell like gasoline without this, so the people who mentioned their eyes watering and itching were mistaken, lying or exaggerating their physical reactions for free stuff.

I’ve never seen people being asked to give constructive praise. Maybe someone likes an item because they need it for a Halloween costume. Maybe it’s the only shampoo that keeps fleas off their dog. Maybe the perfume keeps mosquitoes at bay when they spend a weekend camping. Just because someone likes something doesn’t mean they like it for the reasons that are assumed or are using the item in the intended manner.

On a sillier note, SB just put up a #TBT pic of the January box. Probably not the reaction they were hoping for.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=778059548900651&set=a.395203450519598.88973.180880281951917&type=1

 

[lauradiniwilk]

On a sillier note, SB just put up a #TBT pic of the January box. Probably not the reaction they were hoping for.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=778059548900651&set=a.395203450519598.88973.180880281951917&type=1

What, 6 of their 71,818 fans like it!  That's like .008% :rotfl:

 

[sparklesgirlxox]

Jeffery todd is definitely someone planted to write on the page.  Funny when you read some of the posts they make. They seem seem so fake.   At least to me